Tips For Safely Passing Others On The Road

There are days when you just want to hop on your motorcycle and chase the adrenaline rush down the streets, but what if there are other riders around that prefer a more sedate pace? When you want to go full-speed but other riders have something else in mind, there are a few motorcycle safety points to keep in mind.

At Cross Country Cycle, we like to promote motorcycle safety whenever we can. In that spirit, we’ve put together this guide on how to pass other riders safely. If you’re still looking for the perfect bike, come on down to one of our dealerships in Metuchen and Hasbrouck Heights, NJ and we’ll show you our current inventory of motorcycles for sale.

Dangers of Passing Other Motorists

When you have to pass a vehicle, the biggest problem is that it limits where you can go to avoid a crash. You can’t veer into the lane where the car you’re overtaking is driving. If there’s any oncoming traffic on the next lane, you can’t take that lane either. You probably have some motorists behind you so it’s not easy to simply hit the brakes.

In this world full of distracted drivers and road rage, passing can put you in a vulnerable spot. A lot of people don’t pay full attention to the road, which can make it very risky for you to try and go around them. Someone texting and driving, for example, may not notice you approaching and swerve into your lane unexpectedly as you try to pass.

Pick the Right Spot

To successfully pass someone, you have to make the right decisions. Pick a spot that has few side streets and driveways as possible. This is because you don’t want to suddenly get hit by the rear of the vehicle you’re passing as they take an unexpected turn. It’s also because you don’t want to be surprised by a motorist rolling out of their driveway. It’s best to pass on a straight stretch of road, free of intersections, side streets and driveways.

Notice the Driver

Increase your motorcycle safety by ensuring that you only pass when you’re sure that the other driver has noticed your presence. This won’t be too difficult when you’re passing someone who’s choosing to drive slowly. The threat comes when you have to pass a drunk or distracted driver, presenting a catch-22 situation. You do want to try and get as far away from them as possible but trying to pass them might be more dangerous. Try to evaluate how aware the driver is on the road (and, in turn, how aware they are of you). You can always pull off the road as soon as possible, or change your route so that you can avoid passing an impaired driver.

How to Pass

The key to passing is to do it as quickly as you can. The sooner you are back in your desired lane, the sooner you’re back in a safer zone. Decide when you want to pass and commit to it. You don’t want to be too timid about passing, end up not accelerating soon enough, and then spend more time outside your intended lane than you absolutely have to. Scan the area and ensure it’s good to go. Avoid attempting a passing situation that requires other motorists to slow down, speed up or change lanes. At best, this is rude. At worst, this is dangerous.

Use your signal to ensure that the other driver becomes aware of you. Begin to accelerate while you are still behind the vehicle. When you’re passing them, leave enough space between your motorcycle and the other vehicle. This works as a safety net in case the motorist swerves suddenly. Shoot for about a car door’s length between you two. Try to get it over as soon as you possibly can.

Make Passing Safer

You can utilize some proactive strategies to make passing as safe as possible. First, try to make yourself as visible as you can by wearing bright neon clothing. This will help you to stand out on the road and make other drivers aware of your presence. Before you ride, check that your headlights and turn signals are all working well.

Only attempt passing when road conditions are ideal. For example, when it rains, roads become slick and you can lose valuable traction. At night, your ability to spot hazards, such as potholes or sharp curves to the road, will decrease significantly. Try to only pass when you have optimal road conditions and uncompromised visibility.

Make sure your motorcycle is in top shape before you leave. When your bike isn’t well-maintained, issues can suddenly manifest on the road and end up creating risky situations for you. You can’t safely pass if your motorcycle is experiencing issues turning, accelerating or braking.

We hope these tips will keep you safer on the road! If your bike needs some professional maintenance or parts replacement, get in touch with our service department today! We also have a wide selection of motorcycles for sale, so come on down for a tour if you want to upgrade your bike. We proudly serve the people of Newark and New Brunswick.